GPS III Space Segment

Abstract

The Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space based navigation system that fills validated Joint Service requirements for worldwide, accurate, common grid three dimensional positioning/navigation for military aircraft, ships, and ground personnel. The consistent accuracy, unaffected by location or weather and available in real time, significantly improves effectiveness of reconnaissance, weapons delivery, mine countermeasures and rapid deployment for all services. The system is composed of three segments: user equipment (funded under PE 0305164F), space, and a control network. The satellites broadcast high accuracy data using precisely synchronized signals which are received and processed by user equipment installed in military platforms. This equipment computes the platform position and velocity and provides steering vectors to target locations or navigation equipment installed in military platforms. The control segment provides daily updates to the navigation messages broadcast from the satellites to maintain system precision in three dimensions to 16 meters spherical error probable worldwide. Additionally, GPS supports the United States Nuclear Detonation (NUDET) Detection System (NDS) mission, and provides strategic and tactical support to the following Department of Defense (DoD) missions: Joint Operations by providing capabilities for Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence, Special Operations; Military Operations in Urban Terrain, Defense-Wide Mission Support, Air Mobility, and Space Launch Orbital Support. GPS IIIA is the next generation space vehicle supporting the Navstar GPS constellation. GPS IIIA space vehicles will deliver significant enhancements, including a new L1C (civil) Galileo-compatible signal, enhanced M-code Earth Coverage power, and a growth path to full warfighter capabilities. GPS III is in the preliminary design phase of development (Phase B). Funds in this PE will support research, development, test and evaluation of two GPS IIIA space vehicles and associated simulators through a structured systems engineering approach that matures and delivers space vehicles for launch. The program includes capability maturation and risk reduction efforts to address and mitigate program cost, schedule and technical challenges. Additionally the program also includes engineering studies and analyses, trade studies, system development, test and evaluation efforts, integrated logistics support products, on orbit support, and mission operations in support of civil applications necessary to support efforts to protect U.S. military and allies' use of GPS. OCX is the next generation GPS control segment which includes, but is not limited to, advanced concept development, systems engineering and analysis, modernized control segment development, training simulators, Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) products, and developmental test resources. The OCX acquisition was established to 1) fly the GPS III satellites, 2) incorporate situational awareness to support Navwar and signal monitoring, and 3) enable mission capability upgrades to support warfighter Effects-Based Approach to Operations (EBAO). Funds will support engineering studies and analyses, architectural engineering studies, trade studies, technology needs forecasting, science and technology, technology development, systems engineering, system development, test and evaluation efforts, GPS enterprise integration and mission operations in support of upgrades and product improvements for military and civil applications necessary to support efforts to protect U.S. military and allies' use of GPS. Additionally, funds will ensure a disciplined Capability Insertion Program (CIP) plan to meet Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) approved required capabilities. This program is Budget Activity 7 - Operational System Development

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2011
• Source ID: 0305265F_7_3600_PB_2011
• Change Summary Explanation: The FY2010 President's Budget submittal did not reflect FY2011 through FY2015 funding. Therefore, explanation of changes between the two budget positions cannot be made in a relevant manner.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Energy and Power Technologies
• Human Systems
• Space
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Artificial Satellites
• Command And Control
• Cost Analysis
• Engineering
• Global Positioning Systems
• Logistics
• Logistics Support
• Military Operations
• Navigation
• Satellite Buses
• Satellite Constellations
• Spacecraft
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation
• Vehicles

Fields of Study

• Engineering

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.
• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Space
• Space - Satellites